AT LEAST 10 colleges and universities in Cebu will implement a tuition fee increase amounting to 4.4 percent for academic year 2025-2026.
The 10 schools were among the 14 private higher education institutions (PHEI) in Central Visayas whose application to increase tuition and other school fees (TOSF) has already been approved by the Commission on Higher Education in Central Visayas (Ched 7). The agency is withholding the names of the schools due to the ongoing application process.
Ched 7 Education Program Specialist Maria Antonette Reyes, in an interview with SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, said 20 private schools in the region applied for an increase in their TOSF across all levels.
But so far, only 14 of the 20 PHEIs applying for TOSF adjustments had been approved as of Wednesday.
In Cebu City, nine private schools applied, six were approved, while the three remaining PHEIs still await Ched’s decision.
In Cebu Province, five private schools applied for TOSF increase, four were approved.
While six schools applied in Bohol and four applications had been approved, so far.
According to Reyes, the approved TOSF increase has been limited to 4.4 percent to align with the regional inflation rate.
She said before the regional inflation rate was released, some schools initially applied for a higher increase. However, they have reduced it and set it within the 4.4 percent regional inflation rate.
Reyes explained that the hike in tuition fees will be used for specific allocations.
Seventy percent of proceeds from the increase will be allocated for the salaries and wages of school employees, both non-teaching and teaching staff.
Reyes said 20 percent will be used for school improvement; while the remaining 10 percent will serve as “return on investment” for the institution. (Necolyn Claire Balansag, CNU Intern)